Ex-President Waheed resigns from PPM

Former president Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik has resigned from the main opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).

Waheed, in a message shared on social media announcing his departure from the party, cited the reasoning behind his resignation as he feels it important that his skills, experience and knowledge are utilized in a space that has stability, integrity and honesty to facilitate the success of all Maldivian citizens.

“I will always hold dear in my heart all members of PPM and the citizens of our nation. I will always strive for the betterment of our people, the sovereign independence of our country, continued growth and the socio-economic development of our nation,” he added.

Waheed, underscoring he joined the party 10 years ago to ensure national stability and the continuation of the development measures he initiated in his administration, he stressed he is overjoyed to see the fruition of many of those plans.

Nevertheless, he added that there was still work to do – in order to advance the Maldivian people and stabilize both the nation’s economy and democracy.

At the time of his resignation, Waheed was serving a special advisor to the party. He, on various occasions, has expressed interest in PPM’s presidential ticket, under circumstances the party’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom is deemed ineligible to contest the party. Nevertheless, the opposition coalition comprising PPM and People’s National Congress (PNC) has produced Male Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as their candidate for the upcoming presidential elections.

Dr. Waheed is the first individual in the Maldives to pursue higher education up to PhD. During former president Maumoon Abdul Gayyom’s administration – he had undertaken various roles, in serving in the international relations sector.

He entered the political arena in 2008, as the running mate of then-presidential candidate of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), former president Mohamed Nasheed. At that time, he had his own political party, under the name ‘Gaumee Itthihaadh’.

Waheed became the president when Nasheed tendered his resignation in 2012. Although he contested the 2013’s presidential election, he was eliminated during the first round.  When the court declared the election invalid, and ordered a re-vote, he withdrew his name as a candidate.

Alongside Waheed, his son, Jeffrey Salim Waheed has also resigned from PPM. He is also a prominent figure in the international relations sector.